Climbing

Anyone who knows me knows rock climbing has been part of my life to some degree since i was about 14. Mostly on a very "recreational" level.

I have recently been inspired by some amazing locations and climbs in NZ to get back to my former glory and here are a few photos.

On the long weekend (June) after an unseasonably (and apparently deceptively so) may we headed to Mt Somers for a climbing trip.

As you can see from the photos about 15cm of snow slowed our progress but we were able to get onto some fun routes in an awesome location. Above is David on Orange Roughy(16) on the Orange wall.

One of the strange things about Mt Somers is the two distinctly different rock types within a short distance (300m). The photo on the right is David and I on Rocky Road (3 pitch, grade 20)

After being confined to the middle grades (read teens) for years as a result of the office worker spread i have recently had a major break through now back in the 20s (if only just) and have been inspired to continue and 'push the grades' so to speak and get on some amazing routes in amazing places. Although many in Wanaka, including and number of good friend are climbing much harder than this, pushing one grade at a time is proving (once again) a great and rewarding personal challenge. I am probably climbing harder than i have in 6-8 years.



John and bruce below on Project Aqua (25) in the Darrans near Milford. The home of some of the best rock and climbing in NZ.